David Smith MP: written questions
68 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Spinal 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 recordStudents: LoansDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124346More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that those currently repaying Plan 2 student loans are able to pay off the initial capital owed and return to solvency.
Answer: Student loans are not like commercial loans, as they carry significant protections for borrowers, and repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed or interest applied. As repayments remain income-contingent, if a borrower’s salary remains t...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMental Health: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on children's mental health of an expanded play therapy offer in the NHS.
Answer: Whilst no such specific assessment has been made of the impact on children’s mental health of an expanded play therapy offer in the National Health Service, we are committed to ensuring that children and young people can access the support they need for t...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPoultry: Animal HousingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123367More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing import restrictions on enriched cages for laying hens, pullets and breeder layers.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, PQ UIN 120331.
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildcare: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123055More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what capital funding is available to increase the number of childcare places in settings that are already at capacity, including those operating within primary schools.
Answer: High-quality early years education is central to our mission to break down barriers to opportunity, give every child the best possible start in life, and is essential to our Plan for Change. This government is boosting availability and access through the ...
Answered 7 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: HousingDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120693More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that homeowners near railway lines being (a) created and (b) reopened are informed of the potential impact of new electrification or rail infrastructure on the
Answer: The Department for Transport expects Network Rail to proactively and transparently engage with lineside neighbours who live close to major rail infrastructure works. Network Rail’s established consultation and communication procedures require project team...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: HousingDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120692More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of housing repairs that require contributions from Network Rail before proceeding on financial costs to homeowners.
Answer: Network Rail is responsible for assessing and managing potential impacts that its infrastructure or activities may have on neighbouring properties. Where homeowners believe that damage may be linked to railway operations, assets or work, Network Rail has ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGift AidTreasuryTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117548More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress her Department has made in amending the rules on Gift Aid.
Answer: The government is pleased to confirm that charities will continue to be eligible for Gift Aid following implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. HMRC has published guidance setting out that where subscriptions are current...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMotabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that recent changes to the Motability Scheme, including the removal of VAT zero-rating on advance payments and the introduction of Insurance Premium Tax on
Answer: The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLINK Scheme Holdings: Bank ServicesTreasuryTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115306More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of Link’s possible responsibility for delivering access to banking services and access to cash services.
Answer: Banking is changing, with many customers benefiting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, the Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking services to communities and is committed to supporting...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSchool Games: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115305More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has for funding the School Games Organiser Network after July 2026.
Answer: The Government has now confirmed funding for the SGO Network until the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPrimary Education: Physical Education and SportsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115304More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of how Primary PE and Sport will be funded in the 2026–27 academic year; and when she plans to announce future funding arrangements for the Primary PE and Sport Premium.
Answer: Arrangements for the funding of PE and sport in the 2026/27 academic year and future will be confirmed in due course.
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115303More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local health authorities provide parents with clear information regarding expected waiting times for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and atten
Answer: There are currently no plans to implement a standardised minimum waiting time for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments for children.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline for the diagnosis ...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEast Coast Main LineDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112462More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of variations in ticket pricing between rail operators on the East Coast Main Line serving stations such as Berwick upon Tweed and N
Answer: The move to Great British Railways will enable passengers to receive a more consistent offer across the network, and we are already taking steps to overhaul the complex fares system and make it easier and simpler for passengers to trust they are buying th...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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