Deirdre Costigan MP: written questions

108 published records · newest first.

Written questions

  • Active Travel: Environment ProtectionDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8288More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential environmental benefits of increasing active travel.

    Answer: The Government recognises the environmental benefits from increasing active travel including improved air quality and reduced transport carbon emissions. The Department has published a range of reports which outline the environmental benefits from investm...

    Answered 17 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Active TravelDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8287More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to work with local authorities to encourage greater uptake of (a) walking, (b) cycling and (c) other active travel modes in (i) urban and (ii) rural areas.

    Answer: Active Travel England (ATE) works with all combined authorities and local authorities in England, providing funding and support with the intention being to encourage greater uptake of active travel. ATE is assuring the design quality of around £2 billion ...

    Answered 16 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Social ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8286More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure that the National Care Service supports the needs of people from diverse (a) cultural and (b) linguistic backgrounds.

    Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...

    Answered 16 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Social Services: Disability and Older PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8285More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) disabled and (b) elderly people are consulted before delivery of a National Care Service.

    Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...

    Answered 16 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Care Workers: VacanciesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8284More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle staffing shortages in the care sector.

    Answer: The adult social care workforce is growing, with Skills for Care data showing that in 2023/24 there were 1.705 million filled posts, an increase of 70,000 since 2022/23. Whilst this represents an improvement, the Government recognises the scale of reforms...

    Answered 16 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Social ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8283More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his timeline is for implementation of a National Care Service.

    Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...

    Answered 16 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Social ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8282More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on implementation of a National Care Service.

    Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...

    Answered 16 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Sports: SchoolsDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8281More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Opening School Facilities funding programme beyond March 2025.

    Answer: This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity to enable every child to achieve and thrive, including through expanding access to sport and physical activity. This will support our cross-government missions and help to raise the hea...

    Answered 18 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • FilmDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8280More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, If she will meet visual effects workers to discuss the role of visual effects in the creative industry.

    Answer: Yes, because the government is committed to supporting the UK’s visual effects (VFX) industry. VFX is a part of the screen sector that is always on the cutting edge of innovation and creativity, and the UK is home to some of the world’s best VFX talent.Th...

    Answered 18 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Heart Diseases and Strokes: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8279More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent the causes of (a) heart disease and (b) stroke.

    Answer: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is a leading cause of avoidable disability and premature death in the United Kingdom. This is why the Government has set a goal for fewer lives being lost to the biggest killers, including ...

    Answered 16 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Alcoholic Drinks: MisuseDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8278More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the the potential merits of creating a national strategy to reduce alcohol harm.

    Answer: Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to understand how best to reduce alcohol-re...

    Answered 15 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Infant MortalityDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8277More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve care for families after (a) pregnancy loss and (b) the death of a baby.

    Answer: The Government is committed to delivering compassionate care for women, and supporting parents who have experienced any type of baby loss. Many trusts have specialist bereavement midwives, who are trained to care for and support parents and families who h...

    Answered 17 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Maternity Services: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8276More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve maternity services.

    Answer: The Government recognises the significant issues within maternity services. We are determined to ensure all women and babies receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.We are committed to providing support to trusts failing on maternity care, whic...

    Answered 21 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • AgricultureDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8275More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help (a) support British farmers to negotiate contracts with retailers and (b) preserve traditional farming methods.

    Answer: The Government will deliver a resilient and healthy food system, with a new deal that ensures fairness in the supply chain across all sectors. Where farmers sell directly to retailers, their agreements will be covered within the scope of the sectoral regu...

    Answered 17 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Maternity Pay: Multiple BirthsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8274More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of maternity pay for people with (a) twins and (b) multiples.

    Answer: We want new mothers to be able to take time away from work. Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance rates are reviewed annually and were raised again by 6.7% in April 2024 from £172.48 to £184.03. Maternity pay is primarily a health and safety pro...

    Answered 17 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Sleeping RoughMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6796More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Rough Sleeping Initiative.

    Answer: We conducted an evaluation of the RSI in 2018 and a link to report can be found here. We have also commissioned a systems wide evaluation of the homelessness and rough sleeping system and further information can be found here. The aim of this evaluation i...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Sleeping RoughMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6795More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of how many people have been supported off the streets through the Rough Sleeping Initiative in each of the last three years.

    Answer: We conducted an evaluation of the RSI in 2018 and a link to report can be found here. We have also commissioned a systems wide evaluation of the homelessness and rough sleeping system and further information can be found here. The aim of this evaluation i...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Flood Control: Urban AreasDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6794More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent flooding in urban areas.

    Answer: Protecting all communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. The new Government has established a Floods Resilience Taskforce, a key commitment that marks a new approach to preparing for flooding and...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Middle East: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6793More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the safety of British nationals and their dependents in the wider Middle East region in the context of escalating tensions.

    Answer: We continuously monitor the situation across the region. We advise all British Nationals and dependents to regularly check the FCDO's Travel Advice for the country which they are in, which is kept updated. Unless otherwise noted in Travel Advice, we maint...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Lebanon: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6792More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect British nationals and their dependents in Lebanon.

    Answer: The safety of British nationals is our number one priority. Our consular teams are working around the clock to support British nationals. Border Force and military stand ready to aid consular operations. We chartered a limited number of flights from Leban...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • VisasHome OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6791More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of migration to eVisas on people with indefinite leave to remain.

    Answer: An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was completed on the first phase of the roll out of eVisas to EEA nationals on 9 November 2020, which built on the Policy Equality Statement (PES) for the EUSS which was produced in 2017 and published on the gov.uk webs...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Educational PsychologyDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6790More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will launch a consultation on the potential merits of schools having a named educational psychologist based in their local authority.

    Answer: The department values the critical role educational psychologists play in the support available to children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The deployment of educational psychology services is the ...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Elections: Proof of IdentityMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6789More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 1159 on General Election 2024: Proof of Identity, what steps she has taken to tackle inconsistencies in voter ID rules.

    Answer: As our manifesto made clear, the government will address the inconsistencies in the voter identification policy. We have already committed to adding the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card to the list of documents that are accepted at the polling station. We are...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Sleeping RoughMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6788More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help local authorities reduce rough sleeping.

    Answer: Homelessness and rough sleeping levels in England are far too high. This has a devastating impact on those affected and harms our communities.We must address this and deliver long-term solutions. The Government is taking action by setting up a dedicated I...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record
  • Undocumented Migrants: HomelessnessHome OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6787More

    Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the (a) adequacy and (b) efficiency of consular support with processing (i) identity and (ii) t

    Answer: The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office provides consular assistance to British nationals abroad.The Home Office provides the Homelessness Escalation Service for organisations supporting non-UK nationals experiencing homelessness. Local Authoritie...

    Answered 14 Oct 2024

    Original Parliament record

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