Freddie van Mierlo MP: written questions 2025
395 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Environment Protection: Henley-on-ThamesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35545More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the ecological status of Holton Brook.
Answer: The ecological status of Holton Brook (The Holton Brook and tributaries) is currently classified as having ‘Bad’ ecological status overall. This status is driven mainly by a deterioration to invertebrate status from ‘Poor’ to ‘Bad’ in the 2022 classificat...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordThames WaterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35544More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 29734 on Thames Water, what discussions he has had with Ofwat on the potential impact of (a) the High Court-approved restructure
Answer: The Secretary of State meets with a wide range of stakeholders on a regular basis. The Government and Ofwat continue to carefully monitor the situation with Thames Water, and Ofwat is working closely with the company to strengthen its long-term financial ...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMeat: Import ControlsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35543More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review the (a) amount of funding for and (b) effectiveness of the current measures used by the Border Force to seize illegal meat.
Answer: Successful Border Force-led operations resulted in the interception, seizure and safe disposal of some 114 tonnes of meat illegally imported into the United Kingdom in 2024. We are not complacent about illegal meat smuggling, which may pose threats to ani...
Answered 21 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAdoption and Special Guardianship Support FundDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35542More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to ensure young people receiving therapy funded by the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund will continue to receive this therapy beyond March 2025.
Answer: The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how we will allocate our budget for the next financial year. Decisions regarding the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) are being made as part of these discussion...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHormone Replacement TherapyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35541More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure patients have access to (a) oestrogen and (b) testosterone HRT implants in the context of supply difficulties from the US.
Answer: Oestrogen and testosterone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) implants are not licenced in the United Kingdom. The Department is working closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to ensure safe access to these products. We...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTravel: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35138More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the overseas scale rates.
Answer: The Overseas Scale Rates are an administrative easement and do not limit the amount an employee can claim for. They reduce the need to provide evidence to support an employee’s claim for tax relief.Employees travelling overseas for work have the same enti...
Answered 6 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMobile PhonesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35137More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to ensure that (a) people and (b) businesses are not disrupted by loss of mobile phone network coverage in areas where coverage previously existed.
Answer: UK mobile operators have committed to close all legacy 2G and 3G mobile services by 2033, with some operators having already turned off their 3G networks. The government is working in conjunction with Ofcom and the telecoms industry to minimise disruption...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordPaediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34532More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the meeting between PANS PANDAS and his Department on 19 November 2024, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for research into that condition.
Answer: We are supportive of the progress made by PANS PANDAS UK and the PANS PANDAS Steering Group to undertake a national surveillance study, develop a clinical guideline, and produce guidance for professionals, children, young people, and families.Funding for ...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBuilding SocietiesTreasuryTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34531More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure adequate (a) financial and (b) other support for communities with a building society but not a banking hub.
Answer: The Government recognises the value that building societies bring to their members in local communities across the country, and the value of their 30% share of the UK’s branch network. However, I recognise that most building societies do not provide curre...
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordGardens: PlasticsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34530More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of plastic grass on (a) biodiversity and (b) nature.
Answer: This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers,...
Answered 6 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHeart Diseases: Young PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34529More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of levels of young people dying from sudden cardiac death in (a) England and (b) other European countries; and what steps he plans to take to reduce levels o
Answer: The treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease is a priority for the Government. We want people to have the best chance of survival from cardiac arrest, and rapid intervention is central to improving outcomes. NHS England has published a national ...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: EpilepsyDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34160More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing individual health plans for every child with epilepsy.
Answer: Statutory guidance on supporting pupils at school with medical conditions recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. The guidance can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce6a72e40f0b620a103bd53/suppor...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAirlines: PassengersDepartment for TransportTabled 26 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34159More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of commercial protections for airline passengers.
Answer: Air passenger rights remain a priority for the Department for Transport, and continues to consider options to ensure passengers have the best possible protections whilst travelling by air. This includes ensuring aviation is accessible for all passengers. ...
Answered 4 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax and Stamp DutiesTreasuryTabled 26 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34158More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a proportional property tax as a replacement for (a) stamp duty and (b) council tax.
Answer: Council Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are reliable and important sources of revenue for both the Exchequer and Local Authorities. They raise over £50 billion each year to help pay for essential public services. Any reforms to the property tax system ...
Answered 4 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordGivinostatDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with (a) Duchenne UK and (b) other patient advocacy groups on steps to increase access to the givinostat early access programme.
Answer: The Department has not had any discussions with ITF Pharma UK about the resources or guidance available to National Health Service trusts participating in the early access programme (EAP) for givinostat.Department officials have had discussions with colle...
Answered 4 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordGivinostatDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with (a) NHS England and (b) ITF Pharma UK on the (i) resources and (ii) guidance available to NHS Trusts that participate in the early access programme for givinosta
Answer: The Department has not had any discussions with ITF Pharma UK about the resources or guidance available to National Health Service trusts participating in the early access programme (EAP) for givinostat.Department officials have had discussions with colle...
Answered 4 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: OxfordshireDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 33302More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to correspondence from the hon. Member for Henley and Thame of (a) 21 November 2024 and (b) 13 January 2025, what steps his Department is taking to reconsider the inclusi
Answer: Based on the latest information shared by broadband suppliers regarding their commercial build plans in the area, we currently expect most premises in Ewelme to gain access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection from commercial operators without the ne...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAmbulance Services: Henley and ThameDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 33301More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of ambulance services by South Central Ambulance Service in Henley and Thame constituency.
Answer: No specific assessment has been made for the Henley and Thame area, however we recognise that ambulance response times have been below the high standards that patients should expect in recent years. The latest National Health Service data for January show...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordGivinostatDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 33300More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure all eligible NHS Trusts participate in the Early Access Programme for givinostat.
Answer: Under the Early Access Programme (EAP), givinostat is free to both patients taking part in it, and to the National Health Service, but NHS trusts must still cover the cost of administering it to patients. The Department and NHS England do not have any ini...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployers' Contributions: Low Incomes and Part-time EmploymentTreasuryTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 33299More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure (a) part time and (b) lower earning employees that are exempt from employer National Insurance contributions remain so once the proposed changes to employer National Insurance have b
Answer: A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on indi...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployers' Contributions: Low Incomes and Part-time EmploymentTreasuryTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 33298More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on employers’ ability to employ (a) part-time and (b) lower earning employees who were previously not co
Answer: A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on indi...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordParental LeaveDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29867More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of (a) the adequacy of uptake of Shared Parental Leave and (b) how this will inform future policies to support fathers in taking early parental leave.
Answer: Information provided by employers to HMRC shows that in 2023/24 (the latest year for which full year data is available), 17,200 individuals were in receipt of Statutory Shared Parental Pay.The government is committed to supporting working families. The Em...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFloods: InsuranceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29866More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making insurance cover of properties at risk of flooding mandatory for insurers participating in the Flood Re scheme.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 5 February 2025, UIN 27724.
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: OxfordshireDepartment for TransportTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29666More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 7243 on Driving Tests: Oxfordshire, what further steps she has taken since 11 October 2024 to (a) stop the bulk buying of driving tests by bots and (b) impr
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority continues to be upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordChiltern Railways: Rolling StockDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29350More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24061 on Rolling Stock, if she will ensure that the Rolling Stock Strategy procures adequate capacity on the Chiltern Rail route between Haddenham and Thame
Answer: I and my officials continue work with Chiltern Railways to improve passenger experience. Chiltern periodically adjust its timetable in response to passenger demand. We are closely engaged with Chiltern’s fleet renewal programme. The option to procure addi...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
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