Ellie Chowns MP: written questions
201 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Joint Replacements: North HerefordshireDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95843More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle elective care waiting times, including joint replacement surgery, in North Herefordshire constituency.
Answer: The Government is committed to putting patients first, nationally and in North Herefordshire. That is why, in the Elective Reform Plan, we committed to returning by March 2029 to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wai...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordArthritis: Children and Young PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95842More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to improve time to diagnosis for children and young people with suspected Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
Answer: Services for children with suspected juvenile idiopathic arthritis are commissioned in line with the national service specification for paediatric rheumatology services.The national service specification helps to reduce waiting times for diagnosis by mand...
Answered 9 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: DisadvantagedDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 95841More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to ensure the provision of a) surgical hubs and b) community diagnostics centres are aligned with areas with the highest levels of health deprivation.
Answer: We are committed to ensuring that the provision of elective surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres (CDCs) is aligned with areas of greatest deprivation and population health need. As a core requirement of the capital business case approval process...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: EnergyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94806More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to the consultations on (a) ??improving the Energy Efficiency of Socially Rented Homes and (b) reforms to the EPC regime; and whether she had discussions
Answer: My Department is currently reviewing responses to both consultations and will publish government responses to both shortly.We have engaged extensively with social landlords in respect of both consultations and are committed to providing them with clarity ...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes PlanDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94805More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of setting the period of the Warm Homes Plan for at least 10 years to enable housing providers more certainty to (a) invest and (b) p
Answer: We are working across government on a comprehensive Warm Homes Plan for households to cut energy bills for good. We are investing over £15 billion in the Warm Homes Plan up to 2030. The Plan will include targeted support for the most vulnerable to help re...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordGift AidTreasuryTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94323More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to question 25666 answered on 30 January 2025, what her planned timetable is for 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. While new tax legislation may be necessary in due course, HMRC will shortly ...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSwimming: Primary EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93523More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what percentage of pupils from primary schools in North Herefordshire can (i) swim 25m (ii) self-rescue as reported through the online reporting tool.
Answer: The department is processing the information received through the Digital Expenditure Reporting Return and will publish a summary of quality assured data in the new year.
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordLeisure Centres and Swimming Pools: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93522More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her department has made of the potential merits of distributing grassroots sports funding through local authorities for leisure centres and swimming pools.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to sports facilities, including leisure centres and swimming pools, which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communiti...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture and Small Businesses: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93202More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to WPQ 80434 answered on 17 October 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the proposals on the (a) minimum share rule, (b) upper limit on relief and (c) transferrable allowance in th
Answer: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advant...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxation: OverpaymentsTreasuryTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92337More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answered of 27 May 2025 to question 53743 on Taxation: Overpayments, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of improving HMRC’s data collection systems to record more detailed informati
Answer: HMRC recognises that understanding the nature of enquiries from hon. Members, including those relating to overpaid or overcharged tax and whether they resulted in repayment, could provide useful insight. While no formal assessment has been undertaken, HMR...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: StandardsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90901More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish an update on the status of the Universal Service Obligation consultation which closed on 27 November 2023; and what assessment she had made of the potential merits o
Answer: Due to the change in government in 2024, we do not expect to publish a government response to the 2023 public consultation on reviewing the Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO). However, the information gathered through this is being used to infor...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: North HerefordshireDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90900More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March to Question 39828, how many properties in the North Herefordshire constituency have been identified as very hard to reach by Project Gigabit; and what
Answer: BDUK’s May 2025 Open Market Review identified approximately 5,100 premises in North Herefordshire with no current or planned gigabit-capable infrastructure. Approximately 3,050 premises are now included in Project Gigabit contracts. Work is ongoing to fin...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: North HerefordshireDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90897More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of potential lessons to be learned from the descoping of premises under the Fastershire-Gigaclear contract; and what protections are in place und
Answer: We recognise the importance of learning from past delivery challenges. Under the Fastershire programme, Gigaclear was accountable to the Local Authority for any descoping, with Building Digital UK (BDUK) assuring change requests to ensure compliance with ...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: North HerefordshireDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90895More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to provide timelines to North Herefordshire constituents on when they will be able to access a gigabit-capable broadband connection, in the context of the delay
Answer: As part of Project Gigabit, Openreach is contracted to provide gigabit-capable broadband to approximately 3,050 premises in the North Herefordshire constituency that are not included in suppliers’ commercial plans. This coverage is contracted to be comple...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitals: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken to discharge medically fit patients on the use of corridor care in NHS hospitals.
Answer: The Government is clear that patients should expect and receive the highest standard of care and is determined to consign corridor care to the history books. Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, set out the steps we are taking to en...
Answered 20 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHospital BedsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90844More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of medically fit patients occupying hospital beds due to delayed discharges.
Answer: The Government is committed to tackling delayed discharges.The policy framework for the £9 billion Better Care Fund, published in January 2025, gives the National Health Service and local authorities accountability for setting and achieving joint goals fo...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxation: Electronic GovernmentTreasuryTabled 13 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90833More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HMRC's publication entitled Benefits of Making Tax Digital, last updated on 23 April 2025, what the evidential basis is that Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and Self Assessment will (a) help smal
Answer: Making Tax Digital (MTD) modernises the tax system and will help businesses and landlords keep on top of their tax affairs. It places small businesses on a more digital footing helping to reduce errors and making annual tax returns easier. HMRC has publis...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: GazaHome OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a community sponsorship scheme for refugees from Gaza.
Answer: We are not considering establishing a bespoke immigration route for Palestinians. In any humanitarian situation, the UK must carefully consider its approach in response. Any decision to implement a bespoke visa scheme would need to consider a range of fac...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxation: Electronic GovernmentTreasuryTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90558More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that HM Revenue and Customs has sufficient capacity to support taxpayers during the implementation of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and Self Assessment.
Answer: HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different taxpayer groups, including seasonal workers, self-employed individuals, small ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxation: Electronic GovernmentTreasuryTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90557More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of quarterly reporting requirements under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and Self Assessment on (a) landlords’ administrative costs and (b) rent lev
Answer: HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different taxpayer groups, including seasonal workers, self-employed individuals, small ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxation: Electronic GovernmentTreasuryTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90556More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that HMRC's Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and Self Assessment represents good value for money.
Answer: HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different taxpayer groups, including seasonal workers, self-employed individuals, small ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxation: Electronic GovernmentTreasuryTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90555More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of quarterly reporting requirements under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and Self Assessment on seasonal businesses.
Answer: HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different taxpayer groups, including seasonal workers, self-employed individuals, small ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectronic Government: Proof of IdentityDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90554More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 83709 on Electronic Government: Proof of Identity, what assessment she has made of the risk that people with limited credit history
Answer: GOV.UK One Login provides multiple ways for individuals to prove their identity. Individuals with access to a smartphone and traditional ID documents such as a passport or driving licence can complete verification via the GOV.UK One Login App, which does ...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectronic Government: Proof of IdentityDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90553More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 83709 on Electronic Government: Proof of Identity, what oversight her Department has of third-party data providers used for identit
Answer: As part of the identity verification process, GOV.UK One Login engages specialist third party service providers. All third party relationships are controlled via commercial arrangements set out in contracts with GOV.UK One Login. GOV.UK One Login does not...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming IncentiveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90552More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme on Natural England's caseload for investigations of potential brea
Answer: No formal assessment was deemed necessary in relation to the potential impact of the closure of the 2024 Sustainable Farming Incentive offer to new applications on the incidence of EIA (Agriculture) Regulations breaches.
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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