Ellie Chowns MP: written questions 2024
52 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Holiday Activities and Food ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 16 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9681More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to fund the holiday activities and food programme on a permanent basis.
Answer: The future of the Holiday Activities and Food programme beyond the 31 March 2025 is subject to the next government Spending Review, which is taking place this autumn. The outcome of that process will be communicated in due course.
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInfant Foods: Health EducationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9680More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the report by the Food Foundation entitled Broken Plate Report 2023, published on 27 June 2023; and what
Answer: We face a childhood obesity crisis, and the Government is committed to raising the healthiest next generation ever. It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and young children and ensure that claims made about infant...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHealthy Start SchemeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on introducing auto-enrolment for Healthy Start vouchers.
Answer: The Healthy Start scheme is kept under review. There have been no discussions with my Rt Hon. Friend, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on introducing auto-enrolment for Healthy Start.The Healthy Start scheme was introduced in 2006 to encourage a h...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSexual OffencesHome OfficeTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8053More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) rapes and (b) other sexual offences were reported to police in (i) Herefordshire and (ii) each neighbouring area in each of the last five years; and what the rate of (A) rape and (B) othe
Answer: Please see the below tables for the number of rape and other sexual offences recorded by the police and the rate per 1,000 population in Herefordshire and all other Community Safety Partnership (CSP) areas within West Mercia Police Force Area in the last ...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInternational LawForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7173More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of implications for his policies of the points of action in the statement entitled Experts warn international order on a knife’s edge, urge States
Answer: We note the statement by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 18 September. The UK is fully committed to the international order, international law and the international rules based order. We continue to consider the ICJ's Advisory O...
Answered 25 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMigrant Workers: VisasHome OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7172More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to UK Visas and Immigration guidance entitled Register of licensed sponsors: workers, updated on 2 October 2024, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of provision in place to
Answer: Processes have been put in place to ensure individuals impacted by sponsor licence revocation are not detrimentally impacted. The Home Office has helped facilitate continuity of work with alternative sponsors for those who were originally attached to such...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Health ServicesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7171More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Humanitarian Situation Update No. 221 on the Gaza Strip, if he will have discussions wit
Answer: The FCDO is closely monitoring the impact of the conflict in Gaza on access to medical facilities and healthcare, and we are deeply concerned by reports of the destruction of hospitals and healthcare facilities. As set out in the Foreign Secretary's state...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: EducationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7170More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Humanitarian Situation Update No. 221 on the Gaza Strip, if he will have discussions wit
Answer: This Government is deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict on children, and the high level of destruction to civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including schools. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary continue to press Israeli leaders to take a...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: Seasonal WorkersMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the ITN investigation into seasonal worker accommodation, broadcast 5 September 2024; and if
Answer: We recognise the importance of all seasonal workers living in safe accommodation.Guidance is issued to sponsors for seasonal agricultural workers on the Seasonal Worker visa. It sets a requirement that scheme operators must ensure that safe and hygienic a...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordOccupied Territories: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 279 of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion entitled Legal Consequences Arising From The Policies and Practices of Israel in the Oc
Answer: We respect the International Criminal Court's independence and impartiality. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. We are deeply c...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7167More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make it her policy to restore school funding in real terms to the level provided in May 2010.
Answer: This government is increasing overall core revenue funding for schools to almost £61.8 billion this financial year (2024/25). In July, the department announced that it is providing schools with almost £1.1 billion of additional funding in the 2024/25 fin...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordRivers: PollutionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7166More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the report by the Soil Association entitled Stop Killing our Rivers, published on 12 March
Answer: The levels of water pollution are unacceptable. Cleaning up England’s rivers, lakes and seas is a priority for the Government. Working with farmers to reduce agricultural pollution is key to delivering against this priority. We continue to work with farme...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBritish Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies: Money Laundering and Tax EvasionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5512More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2024 to Question 400 on British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies: Money Laundering and Tax Evasion, which jurisdictions (a) have
Answer: The Overseas Territories have committed to implement publicly accessible registers of company beneficial ownership, and set out timelines to do so, as outlined in a statement of 18 December 2023 (HCWS150).I have spoken with Overseas Territory leaders and ...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: Food SupplyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3913More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report entitled The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024, published by the FAO in August 2024, if his Department will take steps to ad
Answer: Tracking and reporting financing for food security and nutrition consistently is important, and we welcome the proposals in the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report. The UK reports on food security and nutrition finance using th...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHumanitarian Aid: NutritionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken steps to integrate nutrition into wider humanitarian and development programming to maximise positive outcomes for nutrition.
Answer: The UK has made progress toward its 2021 Nutrition for Growth commitment to integrate nutrition objectives and interventions into multiple sectors across its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme portfolio. 12 per cent of FCDO programmes integra...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordGun Sports: LeadDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3566More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report by R.E. Green, M.A. Taggart and D.J. Pain et al. entitled Outcomes from monitoring the fourth year of a five-year voluntary transition from hunting with lead to non-lead sho
Answer: The use of lead shot in England and Wales is already prohibited in specific circumstances by existing legislation – including on all foreshores, and in or over specified sites of special scientific interest, predominantly wetlands. The Health and Safety E...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordRailway Stations: AccessDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3565More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps to (a) ensure that all rail stations are fully accessible and (b) implement step-free access to both platforms at Ledbury station.
Answer: We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordFood Insecurity and NutritionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3564More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the finding in the report entitled The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024, p
Answer: The UK, the UN and other states use the findings of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report extensively. The persisting high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are concerning. We are committed to addressing these, working alon...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordFood Insecurity and NutritionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3563More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition globally.
Answer: We are committed to addressing the causes of global food insecurity and malnutrition, leveraging UK expertise and investment to build greater resilience to shocks, help transform agrifood systems for greener, inclusive growth and nutritious and sustainabl...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHousehold Support FundDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3562More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2024 to Question 971 on Household Support Fund, what criteria she is using for her review of that Fund; and when she plans to (a) complete that review and (b) announce
Answer: DWP is conducting an evaluation of the fourth iteration of the Household Support Fund. This includes research with a selection of representative Local Authority case study areas, consisting of interviews with Local Authority officials and their delivery p...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: WaterForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2665More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to examine alleged instances of damage to (a) water, (b) sanitation and (c) Hygiene infrastructure in Gaza when commissioning future legal advice
Answer: The Foreign Secretary has committed to keeping our position on suspension of around 30 export licenses to Israel for use in Gaza, over International Humanitarian Law (IHL) concerns under review. The UK assesses export licences against the Strategic Export...
Answered 6 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: WaterForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the report by Oxfam entitled Water War Crimes, published 18 July 2024.
Answer: This Government is clear that International Humanitarian Law must be upheld, and civilians protected. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through ...
Answered 6 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1618More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the social care system on the performance of the NHS; and if he will hold discussions with his opposition counterparts on measures to improve
Answer: The health and social care systems are facing significant challenges. The Government is committed to tackling the multiple factors contributing to delayed discharges. These include processes within hospitals and between hospitals and other health and care...
Answered 31 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy Performance Certificates: Rented HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1617More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to require landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties to a EPC C rating.
Answer: This government is committed to reducing the number of fuel poor households in England. We will require landlords to improve their properties to Energy Performance Certificate standard C by 2030. Ensuring warmer, healthier private rented homes will lift m...
Answered 1 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordInsulation: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1616More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental impact of poor home insulation; and if he will make it his policy to establish a local-authority-le
Answer: Energy efficiency improvements remain the best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term, contributing to the reduction of energy bills, as well as reducing carbon emissions in line with Net Zero. The Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest l...
Answered 1 Aug 2024
Original Parliament record
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