Desmond Swayne MP: written questions
69 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Refineries: UK Carbon Border Adjustment MechanismTreasuryTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121688More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to include refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism at a future date; and if she will take measures to support the fuels sector whilst it is excluded from a Carbon Border Adjustme
Answer: The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRefineries: UK Carbon Border Adjustment MechanismTreasuryTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121687More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the exclusion of refined products from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from January 2028; and what estimate she has made of the potential impact on the UK
Answer: The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCoroners: Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 908479More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to support the resumption of inquests that were discontinued by previous legislation.
Answer: The Troubles Bill will restore the small number of Troubles-related inquests that were already in progress but then halted by the previous government’s Legacy Act. Inquests that had not started will be subject to an assessment by the Solicitor General to ...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Speech and Language TherapyDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121271More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has for SEND practitioners to be provided with training on how to support children with speech, language and communication challenges.
Answer: The department recently announced an investment of £15 million to establish new speech and language therapist (SaLT) advanced practitioners in every integrated care board geographical area, to get more SaLTs working in educational settings. These advanced...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Speech and Language TherapyDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121270More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has for the National Inclusion Standards to include (a) speech and language therapists, (b) any other experts on speech, language and communication challenges.
Answer: New National Inclusion Standards will set out evidence-based tools, strategies and approaches for educators to draw on to identify and support children and young people with additional needs. This will include evidence for targeted support to address barr...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordJin MingriForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to the Government of China on the potential merits of the release of Pastor Ezra Jim Mingri.
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to question 75048 on 16 September.
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Excise DutiesScotland OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 907998More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the proposed application of electric vehicle pay-per-mile taxation on people living in rural communities in Scotland.
Answer: At the Budget, the Chancellor confirmed the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2028 - recognising that electric vehicles contribute to congestion and wear-and-tear on our roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty. While those living in...
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRefineries: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112092More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of UK carbon pricing on the refinery sector; and whether her has made an assessment of the potential merits of carbon price linkage to the
Answer: The UK’s refining capacity is very important to our energy security, resilience, as an industrial base to the continued growth of our regions. This government recognises the wider challenges facing the sector and know that tackling these together is vital...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRefineries: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112091More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the risk of carbon leakage for refineries before and after January 2028, compared to other industrial sectors.
Answer: The UK ETS Authority recently concluded a review into free allocation policy which confirmed refining is at risk of carbon leakage and will continue to be eligible to receive support through free allocation, measured against an efficiency standard. The re...
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCarbon Emissions: TaxationTreasuryTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112090More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she has plans to include the horticultural sector in the CBAM from January 2028.
Answer: The government is introducing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from 1 January 2027. It will apply to imported goods from the aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel sectors. When considering which sectors should be included ...
Answered 18 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112089More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will amend the electricity fixed-cost banding rule to permit evidence-based band migration based on actual usage and capacity within the permitted band limits.
Answer: By law, network charging is a matter for Ofgem, the independent regulator.Fixed charge banding rules, including migration, are set out in the DCUSA industry code (Schedule 32). They limit migration to exceptional circumstances, including significant chang...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Intensive Industries Exemption Scheme: HorticultureDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112088More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will grant EII status to the Horticulture Sector in the Energy Intensive Industries exemption scheme.
Answer: Currently, the Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) sector is ineligible for the British Industry Supercharger, which the Energy Intensive Industry (EII) Exemption Scheme is a part of. The CEH sector does not meet the necessary thresholds of electric...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEthiopia: ChristianityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 109957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of attacks on places of worship for Christian communities in Ethiopia.
Answer: We remain concerned about attacks on places of worship in Ethiopia, and their impact on civilians. We note the 4 November statement of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia condemning recent attacks on Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Muslim communitie...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPrime Minister: ChinaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the proposed visit to China later this month is planned to be proceeded with irrespective of the outcome of His Majesty’s Government’s determination of the planning a
Answer: The Prime Minister's travel will be confirmed in the usual way.This Government is taking a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. We will co-operate where we can and chall...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNigeria: ChristianityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria to address violence and discrimination affecting Christians in northern Nigeria.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPupils: HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99146More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make proposals to support pupils with medical conditions, including allergies.
Answer: Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions. Schools should ensure they are aware of any pupils with medical c...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordTemporary Employment: Working HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98735More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he has made an assessment of how reasonable notice periods may vary for agency workers in sectors that require high levels of flexibility or short notice.
Answer: The government understands that what should be considered reasonable notice will differ depending on different sectors and circumstances. Regulations will specify how much notice should be ‘presumed reasonable’ as well as other factors that should be cons...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordStatutory Sick Pay: Agency WorkersDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98734More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has of the potential impact of removing the waiting period for statutory sick pay on the number of claims made by agency workers; and what steps he plans to take to ensure
Answer: Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is part of the Government’s commitment to implement our Plan to Make Work Pay. The Government conducted a Regulatory Impact Assessment here on the impact of the SSP measures, including the removal of the waiting peri...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordTemporary Employment: Working HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has conducted international comparisons on the definition of low hours to inform how the threshold for low hours is set and the reference periods used to calculate guaranteed hou
Answer: The definition of the hours threshold and the length and frequency of reference periods will depend on the outcome of the forthcoming consultation on the details of the measures to end exploitative zero hours contracts. We have considered international ex...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordTemporary Employment: Working HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, under the provisions of the Employment Rights Bill, in what circumstances will responsibility for providing guaranteed hours to an agency worker default from the end hirer to the employment agency.
Answer: The government will consult on the details of the measures to end exploitative zero hours contracts to inform regulations. Decisions on the circumstances in which regulations might place the duty to offer agency workers guaranteed hours on the agency or a...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSecurity Action for EuropeMinistry of DefenceTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 906907More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his policy to seek UK participation in the Security Action for Europe instrument.
Answer: As outlined in the Minister for Cabinet Office’s Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, we entered good-faith negotiations on SAFE participation, but no agreement was possible that met our national interest. UK industry retains access under third-co...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMotorcyclesDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what engagement she has had with organisations representing motorcyclists in preparation for the Integrated National Transport Strategy.
Answer: The department has conducted extensive research and engagement with stakeholders and members of the public to inform the strategy. We have heard directly from motorcyclists and motorcycle representative groups, including the Motorcycle Action Group, throu...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordTransportDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96597More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy.
Answer: The Integrated National Transport Strategy will be published early next year and set the long-term vision for domestic transport across England.
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNigeria: AbductionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93632More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Nigerian counterpart on the recent abduction of students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri; a
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 27 November 2025.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRefineries: LincolnshireTreasuryTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91897More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the level of fuel duty that is now outstanding following the closure of the the Lindsey oil refinery.
Answer: HMRC cannot comment on specific businesses due to taxpayer confidentiality.
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →