David Smith MP: written questions 2025
101 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Football Index: InsolvencyDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74675More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to address regulatory failings highlighted in the independent review by Malcolm Sheehan KC concerning the collapse of football index.
Answer: The Independent Review announced by the previous Government and conducted by Malcom Sheehan KC made a number of recommendations for the Gambling Commission and Financial Conduct Authority, both of which are independent of Government. All recommendations o...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBreakfast Clubs: TransportDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support children who arrive at school by (a) state-provided buses and (b) taxis to make use of free breakfast clubs.
Answer: The government is committed to offering every primary aged child a free breakfast club and is currently working with 750 early adopter schools to test how best to implement this policy ahead of national rollout. Transport will be considered as part of thi...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: NegligenceMinistry of JusticeTabled 1 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74066More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to (a) alter the statute of limitations and (b) review time limits for claims for (i) brain injuries and (ii) other lifelong conditions resulting from (A) medical and (B) clinical negligence.
Answer: Limitation periods set statutory time limits within which a party must bring a civil claim, or give notice of a claim, to the other party in a dispute. For negligence resulting in personal injury (which would include clinical negligence claims) the limita...
Answered 4 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordObesity: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 1 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered including lipedema as a relevant condition for NHS prescription of (a) Mounjaro injections and (b) other weight loss treatments.
Answer: Semaglutide, brand name Wegovy, tirzepatide, brand name Mounjaro, and liraglutide, brand name Saxenda, are approved for the management of obesity. They are recommended as cost-effective for use on the National Health Service for people who have a body mas...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBluetongue Disease: ScreeningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72984More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to expand testing capacity for the bluetongue virus.
Answer: All diagnostic testing for bluetongue virus is conducted at the bluetongue national reference laboratory at The Pirbright Institute. Current testing capacity is sufficient to meet the demands for disease control and movement testing. Nevertheless, Pirbrig...
Answered 5 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal BreedingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the turn around time for results on livestock samples at the Pirbright lab has been in the latest period for which data is available.
Answer: The Pirbright Institute is the UK national reference laboratory and provides a commercial testing service five days a week. Results from submissions from private vets are reported within three working days from the time samples are received at the lab, as...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSheep: Animal BreedingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if Pirbright lab will prioritise blood samples from sheep farmers in northern England ahead of the Kelso ram sales on 12 September 2025.
Answer: All pre-movement tests for bluetongue virus performed at Pirbright are reported within three working days of receipt, with no prioritisation given to particular samples. Pirbright has the provisions to expand its testing capacity, if required, to meet hig...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Medical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68532More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) campaigners and (b) stakeholders on treatment for (i) lobular breast cancer and (ii) other rare cancers.
Answer: Improving outcomes and experiences of cancer treatment, including lobular breast cancer and other rare cancers, is a priority for the Government. Engagement with campaigners and partners is vital to achieving this.My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of Stat...
Answered 6 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordNeighbourhood PlansMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68531More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the future of neighbourhood plans that have been started but not completed by local authorities; and if she will make funding available for the delivery of
Answer: Following the Spending Review, my Department has announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards. Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed be...
Answered 24 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCoal Industry Social Welfare Organisation: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with ex-miners and stakeholders on the financial practices of CISWO.
Answer: As an MP representing a mining community and previous member of the Coalfields Communities APPG, I understand the concerns raised about the performance of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO). As a constituency MP I have spoken to both ex...
Answered 30 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCoal Industry Social Welfare Organisation: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the distribution of financial awards by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation.
Answer: As an MP representing a mining community and previous member of the Coalfields Communities APPG, I understand the concerns raised about the performance of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO). As a constituency MP I have spoken to both ex...
Answered 30 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordInflammatory Bowel Disease: PrescriptionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66781More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease not being eligible for free prescription charges as chronic health co
Answer: While the Department has made no assessment, approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with ulcerati...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordFree School Meals: North NorthumberlandDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64953More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) free breakfast clubs and (b) the free school meal expansion on poverty in North Northumberland constituency.
Answer: This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty, which is why the department is taking action to expand access to free breakfasts and lunches in schools.Free breakfast club places are already being offere...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64952More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how her Department considers future demographic changes when planning school funding.
Answer: School funding will increase by £4.2 billion over the Spending Review period, meaning core school funding will total £65.9 billion by 2028/29. This additional funding will provide an above real terms per pupil increase on the core schools budget.The major...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: Rural AreasDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64951More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to support adult social care in rural areas.
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges facing adult social care and is taking action to improve the system across the country, including in rural areas. We have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first step...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64950More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the NHS is prepared for future demographic changes.
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan sets out our plan to get the National Health Service back on track and make it fit for the future through delivering three big shifts in how the NHS works. By moving more care from hospital to community, shifting from analogue to d...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Older PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64949More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 10 year plan on older residents in rural areas.
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan will ensure a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or geography. The 10-Year Health Plan has been built on what we heard during engagement with the public. Our reimagined National Health Service will be desig...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: North NorthumberlandDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64948More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many additional GPs have been hired in North Northumberland constituency through Government funding.
Answer: As of 31 May 2025, 58 general practitioners (GPs) have been recruited through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme in the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) since 1 October 2024, the ICB in which the North Northumberland constit...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: North EastDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64947More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 10-year plan on waiting lists in the North East.
Answer: We are committed to delivering the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment by March 2029, including in the North East and Yorkshire.The 10-Year Health Plan...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDental Services: Rural AreasDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64869More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Neighbourhood Health Service on dental services in rural constituencies.
Answer: On 3 July 2025, the Government announced the 10-Year Health Plan and set out its vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service set up in local communities across the country, to improve access to National Health Services, including NHS dental services.We expe...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCommunity Health Services: Rural AreasDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64868More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Neighbourhood Health Service on healthcare in rural constituencies.
Answer: The Neighbourhood Health Service will mean millions of patients, including those in rural constituencies, are treated and cared for closer to their home by new teams of health professionals. Our priority will be to address underperformance and health ineq...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: Rural AreasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to provide adequate social housing to rural areas.
Answer: I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).We are giving further consideration to how policy can better promote rural affordable housing as part of our work to produce a set of national policies for decision mak...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63938More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how the funding commitments for social housing will be (a) allocated for and (b) accessed by (i) local authorities and (ii) developers.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).In awarding contracts under the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, Homes England and the GLA will assess the need for grant on the basis of bids from social hous...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBerwick Academy: BuildingsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63937More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of Berwick Academy's need for a rebuild; and whether she has received a business case outlining a proposed rebuild from Northumberland County Council.
Answer: Berwick Academy is the body responsible for the school buildings and has not put forward a nomination for the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP). The department is aware that Northumberland County Council has plans to invest in Berwick Academy as part of a...
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: BuildingsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, by what process schools can apply for (a) rebuilds and (b) other capital spending following the funding commitments in the Spending Review 2025.
Answer: School buildings are integral to high and rising standards and need to be fit for the future.The government has announced almost £20 billion of investment for the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034/35, delivering rebuilding projects at over 500 s...
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →