Freddie van Mierlo MP: written questions 2026
265 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Internet: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117081More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Online Safety Act 2023, how the department is ensuring that the voices of children are considered in the implementation of the Act, to help ensure that their conce
Answer: On 2 March, the government launched a landmark consultation on how to give young people the childhood they deserve in an online world. Alongside the formal consultation, we have launched a child and parent-friendly version, ensuring these important voices...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: PrivacyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the department is taking to ensure the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 does not inappropriately impact on individual rights to privacy.
Answer: The right to privacy is central to our online safety work. The Online Safety Act has cross-cutting duties to ensure that users’ rights and privacy are protected. All providers are required to give particular regard to the importance of protecting users’ r...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: Eating Disorders and Self-harmDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Department is taking to limit exposure of children to harmful content on a) self harm and b) eating disorders through social media algorithms.
Answer: The Online Safety Act requires services, including social media, to protect children from illegal, harmful, and age-inappropriate content.In scope services that are likely to be accessed by children must use highly effective age assurance to prevent child...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: Age AssuranceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117078More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the department is taking to ensure that age verification measures implemented by social media apps such as snapchat in response to the Online Safety Act 2023 are effective.
Answer: As the regulator, Ofcom is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Online Safety Act. Ofcom has set out in guidance that age assurance technologies should fulfil the four criteria of technical accuracy, robustness, reliability, and fairn...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren's Play: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 13th February 2026 to question 105615 on play based pedagogy, if she will update initial teacher training and CPD frameworks to include evidence-based training on play-based pedagogy.
Answer: The department recognises that continuous improvement is essential to transform the training and support for all new teachers. That is why we are committing to a full review of the delivery of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement, including the framework ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren's Play: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117076More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 13th February 2026 to question 105615 on play based pedagogy, whether the forthcoming Enrichment Framework will include guidance on embedding play-based pedagogy within core curriculum
Answer: The Curriculum and Assessment Review considered the extent to which the curriculum and the assessment system in England is fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people. The government’s response set out key reforms to the national cu...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren's Play: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117075More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 13th February 2026 to question 105615 on play based pedagogy, whether her Department plans to commission research into the potential impact of play-based pedagogy on attainment and wel
Answer: The Curriculum and Assessment Review considered the extent to which the curriculum and the assessment system in England is fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people. The government’s response set out key reforms to the national cu...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren's Play: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117074More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 13th February 2026 to question 105615 on play based pedagogy, if her Department will consider the potential benefits of continuing play-based pedagogy beyond the Early Years Foundation
Answer: The Curriculum and Assessment Review considered the extent to which the curriculum and the assessment system in England is fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people. The government’s response set out key reforms to the national cu...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Low IncomesDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117073More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of support for low income families transitioning away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and (b) potential impact of the 2030 ban on sales of new ICE
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting those on low incomes in accessing electric vehicles and the up to £1,400 running cost saving per year versus a comparable petrol car. We are investing over £3.5bn in grants to make zero emission vehicles more affo...
Answered 6 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPolice: StandardsHome OfficeTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117072More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of Thames Valley Police in responding to information requests from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority; and what steps she is t
Answer: The Government expects all police forces to respond swiftly to requests for information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.No assessment has been made of the performance of Thames Valley police in this regard.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCriminal Injuries Compensation: StandardsMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117071More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent estimate he has made of the average length of time taken by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to process applications; and if he will bring forward proposals to implement a time limit by wh
Answer: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the 2012 Scheme) does not prescribe a time limit for applications to be decided.Most applications are decided within 12 months. Each case must be considered on its own facts. In most cases, CICA requires inf...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMedical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117070More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to prioritise the assessment of breakthrough implantable devices in the MHRA Early Access Service.
Answer: In July 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published a statement of policy intent for the development and implementation of an Early Access Service for innovative medical devices. The statement of policy is available at t...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMedical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer on 20 November 2025 to question 90583 on medical treatments, (a) what progress has been made on the establishment of the MHRA Early Access Service and (b) when they expect to
Answer: In July 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published a statement of policy intent for the development and implementation of an Early Access Service for innovative medical devices. The statement of policy is available at t...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpinal Muscular Atrophy: BabiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117068More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential impact that delays in access to newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy will have on those not part of the upcoming in-service evaluation of scr
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges faced by those living with rare diseases and their families and is committed to improving outcomes. This is why the National Health Service is planning a large-scale in-service evaluation (ISE) of screening for spi...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpinal Muscular Atrophy: BabiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117067More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to mitigate disparities in outcomes associated with partial geographical coverage of the in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy.
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges faced by those living with rare diseases and their families and is committed to improving outcomes. This is why the National Health Service is planning a large-scale in-service evaluation (ISE) of screening for spi...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpinal Muscular Atrophy: BabiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117066More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to ensure that screening as part of the in-service evaluation of newborn screening of spinal muscular atrophy is commenced.
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges faced by those living with rare diseases and their families and is committed to improving outcomes. This is why the National Health Service is planning a large-scale in-service evaluation (ISE) of screening for spi...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordThames Water: FTI ConsultingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117065More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will provide an update on her Department's work with FTI consultancy on contingency planning for potential collapse of Thames Water, including (a) spend so far (b) planned spend
Answer: We work closely with FTI Consulting in their role as the Government’s advisor on Special Administration Regime contingency planning and continue to monitor the situation.
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCompulsory PurchaseMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117064More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, (a) when his Department plans to publish the guidance associated with the Compulsory Purchase Order provisions in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, and (b) whether that g
Answer: My Department plans to publish updated compulsory purchase guidance to reflect the reforms introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 this Spring. The existing guidance, which can be found on gov.uk here, already contains general advice on the...
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: ICTDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115775More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what eligibility criteria will be applied to the recently announced additional £300 million of funding for upgrading IT infrastructure in schools through the Connect the Classroom programme.
Answer: We will invest £325 million by 2029/30 to support digital connectivity. This includes expanding Connect the Classroom to thousands more schools in need, supporting schools and responsible bodies to build on the technology underpinning infrastructure and r...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWater: StandardsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115773More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9th December 2025 to question 97007 on Bathing water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025, when she will publish the detail on Bathing water statu
Answer: The Water White Paper sets out wide-ranging reforms to the water system, intended to clean up our rivers, lakes and coastal waters. The Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 do not feature in the white paper, but form part of this...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: OxfordshireDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115771More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had conversations with broadband providers on the suitability of deadlines for new applications to the gigabit broadband voucher scheme in Oxfordshire.
Answer: Officials from Building Digital UK (BDUK) are currently in discussions with broadband suppliers in Oxfordshire on potential voucher project opportunities. Suppliers are aware of the deadline for project applications and are developing project proposals ta...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Cohesion and Resilience Independent ReviewMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115766More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations on improving community cohesion in the Khan Review - Threats To Social Coh
Answer: MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with local government, communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues. A...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordJuriesMinistry of JusticeTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115659More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of restricting access to trial by jury in England and Wales on public confidence in the judicial system.
Answer: The Courts and Tribunals Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 25 February 2026. Alongside the Bill, an impact assessment of our proposed justice reforms was published: Courts and Tribunals Bill - GOV.UK. This includes an assessment of the propos...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRadicalismHome OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115658More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress the Commission for Countering Extremism has made on tackling extremism.
Answer: The Commission is a non-statutory expert committee of the Home Office, set up to help the Government to understand the scale of extremism in the UK and the wider harms associated with it, beyond radicalisation into terrorism.The Commission for Countering ...
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Foreign NationalsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that overseas visitor charging regulations are applied uniformly across NHS trusts.
Answer: The overseas visitor charging regulations apply to all National Health Service trusts in England. The Department is working closely with NHS England to ensure the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 are applied fairly and consistently acro...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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