David Smith MP: written questions 2026
44 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Community AssetsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27342More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made in preparing the secondary legislation, regulations and statutory guidance required to implement the community right to buy provisions contained in th
Answer: The new Community Right to Buy will empower local people to protect valued community spaces and help to end the blight of empty properties on our high streets. We will announce more details on the implementation of the policy in due course.
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: Mobile PhonesDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27341More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is being given to schools to enable them to enforce phone bans.
Answer: The government has published strengthened statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools, available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-phones-in-schools/mobile-phones-in-schools. This guidance states that all schools should be mobile pho...
Answered 11 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: Dyslexia and NeurodiversityDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27340More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what work she is doing on exam conditions for students with dyslexia and neurodivergence.
Answer: It is vital that students with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including those with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions, can access exams and assessments without disadvantage. The Equality Act 2010 requires awarding organisations t...
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: VATTreasuryTabled 4 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27339More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason his Department is applying VAT on new connections to off-electrical grid homes; and what consideration he has given to lifting this on off-grid homes.
Answer: The VAT treatment of electricity connection charges depends on the nature of the supply and the circumstances in which it is made. Where a grid connection forms part of a qualifying domestic supply of electricity, it is subject to the same VAT treatment a...
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricityDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27338More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households in the UK are living off the electric grid; and what actions his department are taking to ensure access to energy for communities in all parts of the UK, including rural a
Answer: DESNZ does not hold data on off-grid households. DESNZ works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including rural and remote areas. Under Ofgem’s price control framework, network companies are investing in new electricity capacit...
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMBR Acres: Animal WelfareHome OfficeTabled 1 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 26302More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria is used by the Home Office when considering whether to review, vary, suspend or revoke an establishment licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and whether concerns r
Answer: Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), the Home Office may review an establishment licence where information raises concerns about compliance or animal welfare. In deciding whether to vary, suspend or revoke a licence, it considers the...
Answered 9 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: DogsHome OfficeTabled 1 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 26301More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure rigorous application of section 5(5)(b) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 during the assessment of project licence applications involving th
Answer: The Government has interpreted the question as referring to section 5B(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, as the Act does not contain a section 5(5)(b).Before granting a project licence, the Home Office must evaluate the proposed programm...
Answered 9 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMBR Acres: DogsHome OfficeTabled 1 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 26300More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of housing and welfare conditions for dogs kept at MBR Acres, including the effectiveness of heat mitigation measures during periods of high temperature; a
Answer: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 sets a rigorous and robust framework for protecting the welfare of animals used in science, including dogs. The framework establishes minimum standards for the care and accommodation of animals, including envir...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Housing Allowance: North NorthumberlandDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 19651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of Local Housing Allowance on the ability of Universal Credit claimants to secure housing in North Northumberland.
Answer: The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum financial support available for renters receiving housing support in the private rented sector. LHA rates are not intended to meet all rents in all areas. The Secretary of State for Work and Pension...
Answered 2 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordCrime: Rural AreasHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 900981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help tackle rural crime.
Answer: This Government is introducing the most significant policing reforms in nearly 200 years, restoring neighbourhood policing to better support rural communities, whilst strengthening the police response to cross-border crimes such as wildlife crime and orga...
Answered 13 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBabies: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the UK National Screening Committee to publish its recommendation following the consultation on newborn screening for metachromatic leukodystrophy; and when Ministers expect to make
Answer: The Government is advised on all screening matters by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which is made up of leading medical and screening experts.The UK NSC considered newborn screening for metachro...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration has been given to ensuring equitable permitted development rights for homeowners for properties that were originally built with stepped rear elevations.
Answer: Under the householder permitted development rights (set out in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) homeowners are able to extend and improve their homes and to erect outbuildings incidental to the main dwe...
Answered 15 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: MetersDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on upgrading smart meters in North Northumberland constituency.
Answer: Energy suppliers are now able to install smart meters in the ‘North’ region using the 4G cellular mobile network, with 4G communication hubs available for rollout across Great Britain since July 2025. 4G operates alongside the existing long range radio so...
Answered 15 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordSpinal Injuries: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of moving spinal cord injury services from nationally coordinated commissioning to the responsibility for ICBs.
Answer: Ahead of the planned merger of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, it has been necessary to consider where commissioning responsibility for the portfolio of specialised services currently held by NHS England should sit in the future....
Answered 19 Aug 2026
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: First AidDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14176More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring licensed pubs, restaurants and other food-serving establishments to have at least one member of staff on duty who holds a valid first aid
Answer: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate to enable first aid to be rendered to employees who are injured or become ill at work. A needs assessment will de...
Answered 13 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPowers of Attorney: Universal CreditMinistry of JusticeTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Office of the Public Guardian’s fee exemption criteria for Lasting Powers of Attorney on people migrated from income-related Employment and Support Allow
Answer: The criteria for the remission of or exemption from fees are prescribed in secondary legislation, namely the Public Guardian (Fees etc.) Regulations 2007 (Fees Regulations). The Fees Regulations require the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) to grant a f...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTrees: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost to local authorities of removing hard plastic tree guards at the end of the usage cycle.
Answer: It has not been possible to produce a single robust estimate of the cost to local authorities of removing hard plastic tree guards as costs vary depending on local circumstances, scale of planting and disposal arrangements. Tree planting grants recognise ...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTrees: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the environmental merits of biodegradable alternatives to hard plastic tree guards.
Answer: The Department recognises the need to reduce the environmental impact of plastics in forestry, including tree guards. Forestry England is part of the UK Forest Industry Plastics Working Group, which focuses on reducing single-use plastics and exploring al...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSecurity Guards: Retail TradeHome OfficeTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to work with private security companies to ensure that security staff are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating in retail
Answer: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator of the private security industry and continues to work with security businesses to improve standards, training, and best practice in support of public safety. It is for individual businesses to determ...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBank Services: Financial Conduct AuthorityTreasuryTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128885More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Treasury expanding the FCA’s remit to include in-person banking services.
Answer: The Government supports initiatives which give customers access to in-person banking, as well as digital access. The Government is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127766More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of progress on the establishment of a specialised NHS service for people with very severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, including t
Answer: The action within July 2025’s final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), to consider whether a specialised service should be prescribed by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Soc...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBanking HubsTreasuryTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127765More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of voluntary industry commitments to deliver banking hubs on adequate assurance of long term access to in person banking services.
Answer: Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, the Government understands the importance of access to in‑person banking services for communities and high streets and ...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: FinanceDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127026More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that energy development project special purpose vehicles cover the financial liability of decommissioning.
Answer: The Department operates a statutory scheme under the Energy Act 2004 to ensure that those responsible for constructing offshore energy installations are responsible for covering the financial liability of decommissioning. Regardless of how an installation...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPost Office: Bank ServicesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Government response to the Future of Post Office Green Paper, whether her Department plans to facilitate discussions on potential collaboration between the Post Office and the ban
Answer: On 21 January 2026, the government held joint discussions between the Post Office and the banking sector to explore where continued collaboration, on a commercial and voluntary basis, would allow all parties to better meet the needs of individuals and bus...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124347More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of informing parents/guardians of the estimated wait time for an autism or ADHD assessment upon application.
Answer: The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. Th...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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