Freddie van Mierlo MP: written questions
735 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Housing: WaterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109418More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled A New Vision for Water, published on 20 January 2026, what assessments he has made of the potential impact of the proposed joine
Answer: In the White Paper Defra has committed to delivering an enhanced, better joined up regional water planning function. This will enable a more holistic, coordinated approach to water environment and supply planning which supports delivery of national strat...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing Associations: Freedom of InformationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 28 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109417More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to cover housing associations in England.
Answer: This government is committed to increasing transparency and accountability in the social rented sector.In September 2025, we directed the Regulator of Social Housing to introduce new Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) for private re...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing Benefit: Supported HousingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will publish further information on the four new earned income disregards for housing benefit claimants in supported housing.
Answer: The Department will be introducing new earned income disregards for Housing Benefit claimants in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation from Autumn 2026. Further information will be available in the regulations pack and Explanatory Memorandum when ...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing Benefit: Supported HousingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106266More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the annual budget that has been allocated for the introduction of new earned income disregards for Housing benefit claimants in supported housing.
Answer: The Department's estimate of the Exchequer impact of the additional earned income disregards for Housing Benefit claimants resident in supported housing and temporary accommodation from 2026/27 to 2030/31 on Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) can be found...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the 18-week waiting time target can be met.
Answer: The Government is committed to returning, by March 2029, to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment.In November 2025, performance against the standard ...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106264More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of patients whose treatment has been delayed as a result of restrictions placed on private providers delivering NHS services.
Answer: Reducing waiting lists is a key part of the Government’s Health Mission, and we are committed to putting patients first by ensuring that they are seen on time and that they have the best possible experience of care. Since the Government came into office, ...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSurgery: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106263More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of activity management plans on patient waiting times for elective surgery.
Answer: Integrated care boards have existing contractual powers to manage activity by providers, which were enhanced in 2025/26 with central support for setting and managing activity. The NHS Standard Contract includes the ability to set Indicative Action Plans (...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing Benefit: Supported HousingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106258More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to introduce new earner income disregards for housing benefit claimants in supported housing.
Answer: The Department will be introducing new earned income disregards for Housing Benefit claimants in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation from Autumn 2026. Further information will be available in the regulations pack and Explanatory Memorandum when ...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordStrategic Lawsuits against Public ParticipationMinistry of JusticeTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106257More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in the level of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation and (b) the potential impact of those lawsuits on public-interest advocacy and journalism.
Answer: Due to the covert nature of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) cases, with many threats occurring before cases reach the courts, it is difficult to know precise figures. On the available qualitative evidence we recognise that such ...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: Disclosure of InformationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106256More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce protections for (a) whistleblowing patients and (b) patient safety advocates.
Answer: There are no plans to bring forward legislation to strengthen protections for patients who raise concerns and patient safety advocates.National Health Service patients should not experience negative consequences if they raise concerns. The NHS Constitutio...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMaternity Services: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of effectiveness of Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships (MNVP), including Oxfordshire MNVP in representing the experience of mothers and families.
Answer: Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships (MNVPs) ensure that the voices of service users are central to decision-making within maternity and neonatal services. An MNVP listens to the experiences of women and families, and brings together service users, ...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Department will consider backdating State Pension increases in cases where there were delays by his Department.
Answer: Telephony demand from individuals seeking to pay Voluntary National Insurance Contributions (VNICs) ahead of the 6th April 2025 deadline was significant. In response, DWP provided routes for individuals to register their interest in paying VNICs. DWP intr...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordInternational Pension Centre: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Department is taking to ensure that individuals who applied to purchase voluntary National Insurance contributions through the International Pensions Centre before the April 2025 deadline
Answer: Telephony demand from individuals seeking to pay Voluntary National Insurance Contributions (VNICs) ahead of the 6th April 2025 deadline was significant. In response, DWP provided routes for individuals to register their interest in paying VNICs. DWP intr...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordInternational Pension Centre: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Department has made of the adequacy of the time taken to process applications to purchase voluntary National Insurance contributions through the International Pensions Centre before
Answer: Telephony demand from individuals seeking to pay Voluntary National Insurance Contributions (VNICs) ahead of the 6th April 2025 deadline was significant. In response, DWP provided routes for individuals to register their interest in paying VNICs. DWP intr...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPrimary Education: Teaching MethodsDepartment for EducationTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide additional (a) guidance and (b) professional development for primary teachers on incorporating learning through play into classroom.
Answer: The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years settings must follow to ensure every child has the best start in life and is clear that play is essential for children’s development.The d...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Housing Allowance: Private Rented HousingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106250More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of levels of Local Housing Allowance rates on households in the private rented sector following the removal of the two-child limit; and wh
Answer: The Secretary of State reviews LHA rates annually and rates were reviewed in November at Autumn Budget. A decision was made to maintain LHA rates at their current 2024/25 levels for 2026/27. A range of factors were considered, including rent levels across...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Security BenefitsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to review the level of the Household Benefit Cap.
Answer: There is a statutory obligation to review the levels at least once every five years. They were last reviewed in November 2022 and, as such, a further review is not required until November 2027. This will happen at the appropriate time as determined by the...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLeasehold and Shared Ownership Schemes: Service ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106248More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will set out the mechanisms for leaseholders and shared ownership tenants to challenge unexpected or excessive maintenance charges; and whether his Department plans to (a)
Answer: Most shared owners have a landlord who is a member of the Housing Ombudsman Service. Tenants can therefore take complaints about service charges, not including fees, to the Ombudsman.The new Social and Affordable Homes Programme places new expectations on...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordShared Ownership Schemes: Service ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to review the practices of housing associations in relation to the application of maintenance charges for shared ownership properties; and what steps
Answer: Most shared owners have a landlord who is a member of the Housing Ombudsman Service. Tenants can therefore take complaints about service charges, not including fees, to the Ombudsman.The new Social and Affordable Homes Programme places new expectations on...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordShared Ownership Schemes: Service ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106246More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure transparency and fairness in the calculation and application of maintenance charges for shared ownership properties; and whether he
Answer: Most shared owners have a landlord who is a member of the Housing Ombudsman Service. Tenants can therefore take complaints about service charges, not including fees, to the Ombudsman.The new Social and Affordable Homes Programme places new expectations on...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: Rural AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105616More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 103084, if she will publish policy proposals to implement the practice of collection of data of non-injury road traffic accidents in order to make an assess
Answer: There are currently no plans to collect non-injury collision data from road traffic collisions to make an assessment of risk at rural junctions.As announced in the recently published Road Safety Strategy, the department is exploring the possibility of bre...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren's Play: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105615More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the role of play-based pedagogy in levels of attainment and supporting pupil wellbeing across the primary curriculum.
Answer: The ‘Early years foundation stage’ statutory framework is clear that play is essential for children’s development, health and wellbeing. Play builds confidence and enthusiasm for learning, helps children to learn to set goals and solve problems, and devel...
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPrimary Education: Teaching MethodsDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105614More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support the implementation of high quality continuous provision in Key Stage 1 to ensure effective progression from the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Answer: Schools must decide how to best support children’s transitions from the early years foundation stages (EYFS) phase into key stage 1. Some schools continue elements of the pedagogical approach of the EYFS into Year 1 to enable a gradual transition. The EYF...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPlaying Fields: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105613More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what mechanisms he plans to put in place to safeguard community sports provision if the current statutory consultation arrangements be changed.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 103087 on 13 January 2026.
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGivinostatDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105612More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions has he had to help conclude the dialogue between NHS England and the manufacturer of givinostat as part of the NICE appraisal.
Answer: The Department has had no such discussions. NHS England is responsible for any commercial discussions with companies whose products are undergoing a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence evaluation.Following discussions in November 2025, NHS E...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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